关陕江湖间近道皆有。而银州者为胜。今延安神木县五原城所产。长尺余。微白且软
。最不易得。北地产者亦如前胡而软。入药亦良。南土所产者正如蒿根。强硬不堪使。二八
月采根。曝用。十一月根生白 。香美可食。二月生苗甚香。其苗有如韭叶者。竹叶者。竹
叶为胜。其如邪蒿者下也。银州所产白色者。治劳蒸用之。取其入肺而质稍实不轻散也。（
濒湖）茎长皮赤软细者。名软柴胡。能主血和肝。黑色肥短硬苗者。主发表退热。（嵩）
根味苦有甘。气微寒。气味俱轻。阴中之阳。升也。手足少阳厥阴四经引经药。半夏为之使
。行手足少阳佐以黄芩。行手足厥阴佐以黄连。（濒湖）升清阳。达胃气。推陈致新。宣畅
气血。治阳气下陷。去心腹肠胃结气。胸中邪气。除心下痞。胸膈痛。两胁刺痛。胆瘅痛。
止偏头痛。目昏赤痛。头昏眩晕。耳聋耳鸣。除湿痹拘挛。散肝胆三焦包络相火。清肌热。
寒热往来。早晨潮热。并治疟及肥气。寒热热劳。骨节烦痛。升散瘕疝积聚。又主女子胎前
产后诸热。热入血室。经水不调。小儿痘疹余热。五疳羸热。（诸本草）禀少阳之气。动于
子而发于寅。故得从坚凝闭密之地。正中直达。万化为之一新。（复 观于子月即生白 。
其他草木动机未有如是之早呈其倪者。）生值一阳元始。当入少阳宣甲胆气。用自下而上。
以奉春升之发陈。顾虽曰一阳。实含全体。不独自下而上。且可自内而外焉。（如不能自下
而上。致不得从内而外者宜之。如已能自下而上。不能从内而外者。非所宜也。）足少阳。
主东方分之气也。在经主气。在脏主血。（脏居经脉之内。以达阴气。经居脏腑之外。以达
阳气。故曰在经主气。在脏主血。谓柴胡能和解半表半里者此也。）柴胡气微寒而味薄。故
能行经。是主气也。佐以三棱广术巴豆之类。又能消坚积。是主血也。（好古）能引诸药入
营卫。（陈士良）凡外感内伤。及温疟往来寒热。胸中邪气。胸胁满疼。诸痰热结气。五脏
游气。皆在经而未入于脏也。宜此行经和中解肌。佐以人参适宜。凡妇人经脉不调。用小柴
胡合四物。加秦艽丹皮辈调之。若有血积。更加三棱莪术之类。又经行适外感热入血室。夜
潮谵语。及胎前产后感冒时行寒热。不可汗吐下者。用小柴胡合四物四君和之。又大肠停水。
作胀发黄。疝瘕积聚。热劳。骨节烦疼。湿痹拘挛。皆在脏而为血分疾也。宜此宣畅血脉。
佐以黄芩。尤妙。（文清）去心下痰结热烦。用黄连为佐。劳疟热时如火。热从髓出。如用
刚剂。则气血愈亏。必致枯瘦。盖热有在皮肤。在脏腑。在骨髓非柴胡不能治。若得银柴胡。
只须一服便效。（濒湖）同四物去当归。加泽兰益母草青蒿。治热入血室。同升麻葛根等。
能升阳散火。同生地黄柏黄连甘草甘菊元参连翘羌活荆芥穗。治暴赤眼。入小柴胡汤。治伤
寒往来寒热。口苦耳聋。胸胁痛无汗。又治少阳经疟。亦治似疟非疟。大便不实。邪不在阳
明者。入大柴胡汤。治伤寒表里俱急。
附方 解痢伤寒余热。（邪入经络。体瘦肌热。用此推陈致新。）及时气伏暑仓卒并治。
柴胡四两。甘草一两。每服三钱。水一盏。煎服。小儿骨热。遍身如火。日渐黄瘦。盗汗。
咳嗽烦渴。柴胡四两。丹砂三两。为末。 猪胆汁拌和。饭上蒸熟。丸绿豆大。每服一丸。
桃仁乌梅汤下。日三服。虚劳发热。柴胡人参等分。每服三钱。姜枣同煎服。湿热黄胆。柴
胡一两。甘草二钱半。作一剂。以水一碗。白茅根一握。煎至七分。任意时时服尽。
〔论〕 柴胡为少阳胆经药。甲木者少阳春升之气。胆气春升。则万化从之。所以十一
脏皆取决于胆也。夫胆属六腑之阳。而为地气之所生。经曰。脑髓骨脉胆女子胞。此六者。
地气之所生也。皆藏于阴而象于地。故藏而不泻。又曰。胆者中精之腑。谓五腑皆行其浊化。
而
故五腑根五脏之阴以达阳。而胆即本腑之阴以达阳。五腑达其阳化而用在泻。胆腑亦达其阳
化而用在不泻。此乃半表半里之义。而柴胡为和解半表半里之剂也。其又为肝之引经药者。
夫肝下合于任。上会于督。与命门相火通。本脏固有阴阳也。然胆为甲阳。肝为乙阴。阳为
阴先。阴随阳转。所谓始于泉。下引阴气。鼓舞而升举之。在天地人之上者甲也。故柴胡能
和少阳胆气。即为肝之引经药也。其更属手少阳厥阴引经者。以三焦为元气之父。包络为阴
血之母。气血父母。即不外乎水火。水得交于火则气生。火得交于水则血生。此味引阴气而
上。使水得交于火。升降相因。（三阴之气至于肺。而阳中之阴自降。阳亦随阴以降矣。）引
阳气而下。使火得交于水。夫非手少阳厥阴之化欤。要知柴胡和解少阳。乃从泉下而畅其生
化者。是以功力所着。非徒畅阳。实能举阴。非徒畅郁阳以化滞阴。更俾阳倡而阴随和之。
故如郁气不达。化原不新。在肝胆则益。由肝胆而之脾胃则益。由脾胃还之肝胆并之他脏则
亦益。所谓春气升而万物安者也。然则六气之郁。升降俱不前。柴胡并能转其枢欤。曰。升
降不前。是当审乎谁为窒之者。而尤必参阴阳之虚实以为治也。盖下之阴裕。必藉阳之先导
以为上际。上之阳裕。亦必资阴之先导以为下蟠。此阴阳相依。以妙于升降。原有不得不然
者。如下之阴不能裕阳。上之阳不能裕阴。则升降之化原先亏。可期其升降相因以妙于气化
之推移乎。审是则柴胡为用。在于阳气之不达。而阳气不达。本于阴气之不纾。倘使阴气已
虚。本之则无。何可辄事升阳乎。又如元气下脱。虚火上炎。以及阴虚发热（此非气聚血凝
以致病乎寒热者）等类。非可妄投矣。
缪氏云。柴胡性升而发散。病患虚而气升者。忌之。呕吐及阴虚火炎者。同禁。第虚劳
一证。因虚而凝结其气血者固多。此不生则不化也。亦有外淫内伤。先凝结其气血以致虚者。
此
〔辨治〕 其根似芦。头有赤毛。其梢如鼠尾。长一二尺。（独窠长者好）香味甚佳。
凡使。上升用根。酒渍。中行下降用梢。宜生。外感生用。内伤升气。酒炒三遍。有咳汗者。
蜜水
在关陕及江湖一带靠近道路的地方都有生长，其中银州出产的质量最好。现在延安神木县五原城所产的柴胡，长度在一尺以上，颜色微白且质地柔软，是最难得到的。北方地产的柴胡也像前胡一样质地柔软，入药效果也很好。南方土产的真像蒿草的根，质地强硬不堪使用。农历二月和八月采收根部，晒干后使用；十一月时根部生出白色嫩芽，香气浓郁可以食用；二月长出苗叶，非常香。其苗叶有像韭菜叶的，也有像竹叶的，以像竹叶的为优；像邪蒿的就较差。银州出产的白色柴胡，治疗劳蒸（虚热）时使用，因为它入肺经且质地稍实而不轻浮发散。（李时珍《本草纲目》）茎长、皮赤、软细的，名叫软柴胡，能主治血分病，调和肝脏。黑色、肥大、短硬、苗粗的，主治发表退热。（张元素《医学启源》）
根部味道苦中带甘，气微寒，气味都很轻，属于阴中之阳，具有升散作用。它是手足少阳经和手足厥阴经的引经药。半夏是它的辅佐药。用于手足少阳经时，辅以黄芩；用于手足厥阴经时，辅以黄连。（李时珍）它能提升清阳之气，通达胃气，推陈出新，宣畅气血。治疗阳气下陷，去除心腹肠胃中的结气，胸中的邪气，消除心下痞满，胸膈疼痛，两胁刺痛，胆腑湿热疼痛，止偏头痛，眼睛昏花红肿疼痛，头晕眩晕，耳聋耳鸣，祛除风湿痹痛和筋脉拘挛，疏散肝胆三焦包络的相火，清除肌肉层面的热邪，治疗寒热往来，早晨潮热，并治疗疟疾及肥气（脾脏肿大），寒热及骨蒸劳热，骨节烦痛，升散瘕疝积聚。又主治妇女胎前产后各种热证，热入血室，月经不调，小儿痘疹后的余热，五种疳积引起的羸弱发热。（历代本草记载）
它禀受少阳之气，在子时萌动，在寅时发荣，所以能从坚凝闭密之地，正中直达，使万物生化焕然一新。（复观：在子月即生白芽，其他草木生机没有像这样早现端倪的。）它生于阳气初始之时，应当进入少阳以宣发甲胆之气，作用趋势自下而上，以顺应春季升发、推陈出新的规律。虽然说是“一阳”，实则包含全体，不仅自下而上，而且可从内而外。（如果不能自下而上，导致不能从内而外的情况适宜用此药；如果已经能自下而上，但不能从内而外的，则不适宜。）足少阳胆经，主司东方分理的气机。在经脉中主要主管气，在脏腑中主要主管血。（脏居经脉之内，以通达阴气；经居脏腑之外，以通达阳气。所以说在经主气，在脏主血。称柴胡能和解半表半里，就是这个意思。）柴胡气微寒而味薄，所以能通行经脉，这是主气的表现。如果佐以三棱、莪术、巴豆之类，又能消除坚硬的积块，这是主血的表现。（李杲《珍珠囊》）它能引导诸药进入营卫。（陈士良）
凡是外感内伤，以及温疟寒热往来，胸中邪气，胸胁胀满疼痛，各种痰热结气，五脏游移之气，都还在经脉而未进入脏腑。适宜用这种通行经脉、调和中焦、解除肌表的药物，佐以人参比较适宜。凡是妇女月经不调，用小柴胡汤合四物汤，加秦艽、丹皮等调治。如果有血积，再加三棱、莪术之类。又有经期适逢外感，热入血室，夜间潮热谵语，以及胎前产后感冒时行寒热，不可用汗、吐、下法治疗的，用小柴胡汤合四物汤、四君子汤调和之。又有大肠停水，导致腹胀发黄，疝瘕积聚，热劳，骨节烦疼，湿痹拘挛，这些都在脏腑而属于血分疾病。适宜用此药宣畅血脉，佐以黄芩，尤为巧妙。（文清）去除心下的痰结、热烦，用黄连为佐药。劳疟发热如火，热从骨髓而出，如果用刚燥的药物，则气血更加亏损，必然导致枯瘦。大概热邪有的在皮肤，有的在脏腑，有的在骨髓，非柴胡不能治疗。如果得到银柴胡，只需一服便见效。（李时珍）
与四物汤同用但去掉当归，加泽兰、益母草、青蒿，治疗热入血室。与升麻、葛根等同用，能升阳散火。与生地黄、黄柏、黄连、甘草、甘菊、元参、连翘、羌活、荆芥穗同用，治疗暴发性红眼。加入小柴胡汤，治疗伤寒寒热往来，口苦耳聋，胸胁痛无汗。又治疗少阳经疟疾，也治疗类似疟疾而非疟疾，大便不实，邪气不在阳明经的情况。加入大柴胡汤，治疗伤寒表里俱急。
附方：解痢疾伤寒余热。（邪气侵入经络，身体消瘦肌肤发热，用此药推陈致新。）及时气伏暑仓促发作并治。柴胡四两，甘草一两，每次服用三钱，用水一盏，煎服。小儿骨热，遍身如火，日渐黄瘦，盗汗，咳嗽烦渴。柴胡四两，丹砂三两，研为末，用猪胆汁拌和，在饭上蒸熟，制成绿豆大小的丸药。每次服用一丸，用桃仁乌梅汤送下，每日三次。虚劳发热，柴胡、人参各等分，每次服用三钱，生姜、大枣同煎服。湿热黄疸，柴胡一两，甘草二钱半，作一剂，用水一碗，白茅根一把，煎至七分，任意时候服完。
〔论〕 柴胡是少阳胆经的药。甲木代表少阳春升之气，胆气春升，则万物随之变化，所以十一脏都取决于胆。胆属于六腑之阳，却是地气所生。经书说：“脑髓骨脉胆女子胞”，这六者，都是地气所生的，都藏于阴而象于地，所以藏而不泻。又说：“胆是中精之腑”，意思是五腑都运行其浊化功能，而五腑根源于五脏之阴以达阳，胆即本腑之阴以达阳。五腑达其阳化而作用在于泻，胆腑也达其阳化而作用在于不泻。这就是半表半里的含义，而柴胡是和解半表半里的药物。它又是肝的引经药。肝下合于任脉，上会于督脉，与命门相火相通，本脏固有阴阳。然而胆为甲阳，肝为乙阴，阳为阴先，阴随阳转，所谓始于泉下，下引阴气，鼓舞而升举之。在天、地、人之上者是甲木。所以柴胡能和少阳胆气，即为肝的引经药。它更属于手少阳和厥阴的引经药，因为三焦是元气的父亲，包络是阴血的母亲，气血父母，就不外乎水火。水得交于火则气生，火得交于水则血生。此味药引阴气而上，使水得交于火，升降相互依存。（三阴之气至于肺，而阳中之阴自然下降，阳也随着阴而下降。）引阳气而下，使火得交于水。这难道不是手少阳和厥阴的化育吗？要知道柴胡和解少阳，是从泉下而畅达其生化的，所以其功力所在，不仅仅是畅达阳气，实际上能举升阴气；不仅仅是畅达郁滞的阳气以化解停滞的阴气，更是让阳气倡导而阴气随之和谐。所以如郁气不达，化源不新，在肝胆则有益，由肝胆而到脾胃则有益，由脾胃还之肝胆并及其他脏腑也都有益。这就是所谓春气升而万物安定的道理。那么六气的郁滞，升降都不前进，柴胡能同时转动其枢纽吗？回答说：升降不前，应当审查是谁阻塞了它们，并且必须参考阴阳的虚实来治疗。大概下方的阴气充裕，必须借助阳气的先导才能向上际遇；上方的阳气充裕，也必须借助阴气的先导才能向下盘绕。这是阴阳相互依赖，从而在升降中显现奇妙，原本是有不得不如此的道理。如下方的阴不能充裕阳气，上方的阳不能充裕阴气，那么升降的化源就亏损了，能期望它们升降相互依存而在气化推移中显现奇妙吗？审察到这里，柴胡的作用，在于阳气的不通达，而阳气的不通达，根本在于阴气的不舒展。倘若阴气已经虚弱，根本已无，怎么可以轻易从事升阳呢？又如元气下脱，虚火上炎，以及阴虚发热（这不是气聚血凝以致病的寒热），这类情况，不可以妄投柴胡。
缪希雍说：柴胡性升而发散，病患虚而气升者，忌用。呕吐及阴虚火炎者，同样禁用。只是虚劳一证，因虚而凝结其气血的固然很多，这是不生则不化。也有外淫内伤，先凝结其气血以致成虚的，这种情况……
〔辨治〕 其根似芦笋，头有赤毛，梢如鼠尾，长一二尺。（独窠生长的较长的好）。凡使用，上升用根，酒浸；中行下降用梢，宜生用。外感生用，内伤升气，酒炒三遍。有咳嗽出汗者，蜜水……
In the regions of Guan-Shaan and along the rivers and lakes near roads, it grows everywhere. The variety from Yinzhou is superior. Currently, the Bupleurum produced in Wuyuan City, Shenmu County, Yan'an, is over one chi long, slightly white and soft, and is the most difficult to obtain. The variety produced in the north is also soft like Peucedani Radix (Qianhu) and is good for medicinal use. The variety produced in the southern lands is exactly like the root of Artemisia (Hao), hard and stiff, and unsuitable for use. The roots are harvested in the second and eighth lunar months and dried in the sun for use. In the eleventh lunar month, white shoots grow from the roots, which are fragrant and edible. In the second lunar month, seedlings emerge, which are very fragrant. The leaves resemble those of Allium tuberosum (Jiucai) or Bambusa vulgaris (Zhuye); the latter is superior, while those resembling Artemisia anomala (Xiehao) are inferior. The white Bupleurum from Yinzhou is used to treat Lao Zheng (consumptive fever with tidal heat) because it enters the Lung Meridian and has a slightly solid texture that does not scatter lightly. (Li Shizhen) The stems that are long, reddish-bark, soft, and fine are named Ruan Chaihu (Soft Bupleurum). They can primarily treat blood disorders and harmonize the Liver. Those that are black, plump, short, hard, and have thick seedlings primarily release the exterior and reduce fever. (Zhang Yuansu)
The root tastes bitter with a hint of sweetness, has a slightly cold nature, and its aroma and flavor are light. It belongs to "Yang within Yin" and has an ascending and dispersing action. It is a guiding herb for the Foot-Shaoyang, Hand-Shaoyang, Foot-Jueyin, and Hand-Jueyin meridians. Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia) serves as its assistant. When acting on the Shaoyang meridians, it is assisted by Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin); when acting on the Jueyin meridians, it is assisted by Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian). (Li Shizhen) It ascends clear Yang, unblocks Stomach Qi, pushes out the old to bring forth the new, and promotes the free flow of Qi and Blood. It treats sinking of Yang Qi, removes knotted Qi in the heart, abdomen, and intestines, eliminates evil Qi in the chest, resolves epigastric fullness (Pi), chest and diaphragm pain, stabbing pain in both hypochondria, Dan-Dan pain (gallbladder damp-heat pain), stops hemi-crania, blurry vision with red painful eyes, dizziness and vertigo, deafness and tinnitus, dispels wind-damp bi syndrome and tendon spasms, scatters ministerial fire from the Liver, Gallbladder, Sanjiao, and Pericardium, clears heat from the muscle layer, treats alternating chills and fever, morning tidal fever, and also treats Malaria and Feiqi (splenomegaly), cold-heat labor fever, bone joint vexation and pain, ascends and disperses Zha and Shan (masses and hernias). It also treats various febrile conditions before and after childbirth in women, Re Ru Xueshi (Heat entering the Blood Chamber), irregular menstruation, residual heat after smallpox/variolae in children, and emaciated fever from the five types of Gan accumulation. (Various Materia Medica)
It inherits the Qi of Shaoyang, stirring at Zi hour and flourishing at Yin hour. Thus, it can reach directly from the firm, condensed, and closed places, renewing all transformations. (Fuguan: White shoots appear in the Zi month; no other herbs show such early signs of vitality.) Born at the beginning of Yang, it should enter Shaoyang to disseminate the Qi of Jia-Gallbladder. Its action moves from bottom to top, to serve the spring-like ascending and renovating process. Although called "One Yang," it actually contains the whole body; it not only moves from bottom to top but also from inside to outside. (If it cannot move from bottom to top, thereby failing to move from inside to outside, this herb is suitable. If it can move from bottom to top but cannot move from inside to outside, it is not suitable.) The Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian governs the Qi of the East. Within the meridians, it primarily governs Qi; within the zang organs, it primarily governs Blood. (Zang organs reside inside the meridians to convey Yin Qi; meridians reside outside the zang-fu to convey Yang Qi. Hence, "within meridians governs Qi, within zang governs Blood." This is why Bupleurum is said to harmonize the half-exterior and half-interior.) Bupleurum has a slightly cold nature and thin flavor, so it can circulate through the meridians, thus governing Qi. Assisted by Sanleng, Ezhu, and Crotonis Fructus (Badou), it can also dissolve hard accumulations, thus governing Blood. (Li Gao) It can guide other drugs into Ying and Wei. (Chen Shiliang)
For all external contractions and internal injuries, as well as warm malaria with alternating chills and fever, evil Qi in the chest, chest and hypochondriac fullness and pain, various phlegm-heat knotted Qi, and wandering Qi of the five zang organs—all of which are in the meridians but have not entered the zang organs—it is appropriate to use this herb to circulate meridians, harmonize the middle, and resolve the muscle layer, assisted by Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma (Renshen). For women with irregular menstruation, Xiao Chaihu Tang (Minor Bupleurum Decoction) combined with Siwu Tang (Four Substances Decoction), plus Qinjiao and Mudanpi, is used to regulate. If there is blood stasis, add Sanleng and Ezhu. If during menstruation an external contraction occurs, leading to Heat entering the Blood Chamber, night tidal fever, and delirium, or if there are cold-heat patterns from catching a seasonal pathogen before or after childbirth where sweating, vomiting, and purging are contraindicated, Xiao Chaihu Tang combined with Siwu Tang and Sijunzi Tang is used to harmonize. For water retention in the Large Intestine causing distension and jaundice, Shan and Xia (masses), heat labor, bone joint vexation and pain, wind-damp bi and spasms—all of which are in the zang organs and belong to blood disorders—this herb is suitable to promote blood circulation, assisted by Huangqin, which is particularly effective. (Wenqing) To remove phlegm knots, heat, and vexation in the epigastrium, Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian) is used as an assistant. For labor malaria with fever like fire, with heat emanating from the marrow, using harsh/dry drugs will further deplete Qi and Blood, leading to emaciation. Generally, heat may be in the skin, zang-fu, or marrow; only Bupleurum can treat it. If Yin Chaihu (Stellariae Radix) is obtained, one dose is sufficient for effect. (Li Shizhen)
Combined with Siwu Tang (removing Danggui), adding Zelania Herba (Zelan), Leonuri Herba (Yimucao), and Qinghao, it treats Heat entering the Blood Chamber. Combined with Ephedrae Herba (Shengma? Note: Text says Shengma, usually Cimicifugae Rhizoma) and Puerariae Radix (Gegen), it can ascend Yang and scatter Fire. Combined with Rehmanniae Radix (Shengdihuang), Phellodendri Cortex (Huangbai), Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian), Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma (Gancao), Chrysanthemi Flos (Ganju), Scrophulariae Radix (Yuanshen), Forsythiae Fructus (Lianqiao), Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo), and Schizonepetae Spica (Jingjie Sui), it treats acute red eye. Added to Xiao Chaihu Tang, it treats Taiyang-Shaoyang alternating chills and fever, bitter taste, deafness, chest/hypochondriac pain without sweat. It also treats Shaoyang Malaria, and conditions resembling malaria but not malaria, with loose stools and pathogen not in the Yangming meridian. Added to Da Chaihu Tang (Major Bupleurum Decoction), it treats Taiyang-Shaoyang simultaneous urgency.
Attached Formulas: Resolve residual heat of dysentery from Taiyang disease. (Pathogen enters meridians, body emaciated, skin/muscle hot; use this to push out the old and bring forth the new.) Also treats sudden onset of latent summerheat from epidemic qi. Bupleurum 4 liang, Licorice 1 liang. Take 3 qian per dose, decoct in 1 cup of water. For children's bone heat, body burning like fire, gradual yellow emaciation, night sweats, cough, and vexation/thirst: Bupleurum 4 liang, Cinnabar (Dansha) 3 liang. Powder them, mix with Pig Bile, steam over rice until cooked, form pills the size of mung beans. Take 1 pill per dose, wash down with Peach Kernel and Myrobalan Decoction, three times daily. For deficiency-labor fever: Bupleurum and Ginseng in equal parts. Take 3 qian per dose, decoct with Ginger and Jujube. For damp-heat jaundice: Bupleurum 1 liang, Licorice 2.5 qian. Make one dose, decoct in 1 bowl of water with a handful of Imperata Rhizome (Baimaogen) until reduced to 70%, drink freely at any time.
[Discussion] Bupleurum is a drug for the Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. Jia-Wood represents the ascending Qi of Spring Shaoyang. When Gallbladder Qi ascends like Spring, all transformations follow. Therefore, the eleven zang-fu organs depend on the Gallbladder. The Gallbladder belongs to the Yang of the six fu organs but is generated by Earth Qi. The Classic states: "Brain, marrow, bones, vessels, Gallbladder, and Uterus in women"—these six are generated by Earth Qi, stored in Yin, and correspond to Earth. Thus, they store but do not excrete. It is also said: "The Gallbladder is the Middle Essence Organ." This means the five fu organs conduct their turbid transformations, and the five fu organs root in the Yin of the five zang organs to reach Yang. The Gallbladder reaches Yang from its own Yin. The five fu organs achieve Yang transformation and function through excretion; the Gallbladder achieves Yang transformation but functions through non-excretion. This is the meaning of half-exterior and half-interior, and Bupleurum is the agent for harmonizing half-exterior and half-interior. It is also the guiding herb for the Liver. The Liver connects below with the Ren Mai and above with the Du Mai, communicating with Mingmen Ministerial Fire, possessing inherent Yin and Yang within its own organ. However, Gallbladder is Jia-Yang, and Liver is Yi-Yin. Yang precedes Yin, and Yin follows Yang turning. It starts from the泉 (spring/source), draws up Yin Qi, encourages and lifts it. Above Heaven, Earth, and Man is Jia. Therefore, Bupleurum harmonizes Shaoyang Gallbladder Qi and thus serves as the guiding herb for the Liver. It further belongs to the guiding herbs for Hand-Shaoyang and Jueyin because the Sanjiao is the father of Primordial Qi, and the Pericardium is the mother of Yin Blood. Qi and Blood, as parents, are none other than Water and Fire. When Water communicates with Fire, Qi is generated; when Fire communicates with Water, Blood is generated. This herb guides Yin Qi upward, allowing Water to communicate with Fire, with ascent and descent depending on each other. (San Yin Qi reaches the Lung, and Yin within Yang naturally descends; Yang also descends following Yin.) It guides Yang Qi downward, allowing Fire to communicate with Water. Is this not the transformation of Hand-Shaoyang and Jueyin? One must know that Bupleurum harmonizes Shaoyang by smoothing its biological generation from the source below. Therefore, its efficacy lies not merely in smoothing Yang, but actually in lifting Yin; not merely in smoothing stagnant Yang to transform stagnant Yin, but enabling Yang to lead and Yin to harmonize. Thus, if constrained Qi does not reach, and the source of transformation is not renewed, it benefits the Liver and Gallbladder, benefits the Spleen and Stomach via the Liver/Gallbladder, and benefits other organs returning from Spleen/Stomach to Liver/Gallbladder. This is what is meant by "Spring Qi ascends, and all things are peaceful." Then, for the stagnation of the Six Qi, where both ascent and descent fail to advance, can Bupleurum simultaneously turn the pivot? The answer is: When ascent and descent fail to advance, one must examine who obstructs them, and treatment must consider the deficiency and excess of Yin and Yang. Generally, abundant Yin below must rely on the guidance of Yang to reach above; abundant Yang above must rely on the guidance of Yin to descend below. This interdependence of Yin and Yang creates the wonder of ascent and descent, which is inevitable. If Yin below cannot enrich Yang, and Yang above cannot enrich Yin, then the source of ascent and descent is deficient. Can one expect them to depend on each other for the wonder of Qi transformation? Examining this, the use of Bupleurum lies in the failure of Yang Qi to reach. The failure of Yang Qi to reach stems from the failure of Yin Qi to relax. If Yin Qi is already deficient, lacking a root, how can one casually engage in ascending Yang? Similarly, for sinking of Yuan Qi, flaming defire from deficiency, and deficiency-yin fever (which is not cold-heat caused by Qi stagnation and Blood coagulation), these cases should not receive reckless administration of Bupleurum.
Miao Xi Yong stated: Bupleurum is ascending and dispersing. It is contraindicated for patients who are deficient and have rising Qi. It is also forbidden for vomiting and flaming fire from deficiency-yin. However, in deficiency-labor, although many cases involve Qi and Blood coagulating due to deficiency (where non-generation leads to non-transformation), there are also cases where external pathogens and internal injuries cause Qi and Blood to coagulate first, leading to deficiency. In such cases...
[Differentiation and Treatment] The root resembles Asparagus, with red hairs at the head and tail like a rat's tail, one to two chi long. (Those growing alone and longer are better.) For usage: Ascending actions use the root, soaked in wine; middle/lower descending actions use the tip, preferably raw. For external contractions, use raw; for internal injuries to ascend Qi, stir-fry three times with wine. For those with cough and sweating, use honey-water...